What are the best ways to become a data governance thought leader?

Data governance is commonly understood and practiced as a defense function whose purpose is to guardrail data by keeping data secure and compliant. The business value of data governance is a much-debated topic, with business leaders unclear on the role and value of data governance in transformative business growth. Data governance practiced well can propel responsible offense in scaling transformative value creation from data. Scaling discovery, understanding, access, and use of data across an organization for transformative applications and responsible value outcomes, is the essence of data governance. Sharing learnings to orient the practice of data governance to business value creation, is a top line thought leadership opportunity.

Like everything in life, theory is important, but practice is where you get exposed to the reality. Reading, courses, training are all fantastic tools to get exposure to the challenges of implementing Data Governance programs, but nothing compares to getting your hands dirty, on the keyboard and working it through. It is often that only once you are exposed to the end value (or progessive value) of Data Governance that you feel like you have to tell the world about it, so once your reading allows you to grasp the core concepts, put a strategy together and get started!

Write. Make videos. Develop tutorials. You can't lead others without a demonstrable platform. Teach others the lessons you've learned in your career. They will see the value and come back to you for more.

One aspect that is often not given due consideration is gaining expertise by studying various industry case studies and peer experiences. I feel these are quite critical to broaden your understanding of the diverse approaches to Data Governance. Even though the data governance challenges may be similar across organisations, diverse org culture and context require vastly different approaches to Data governance. Knowing these and being able to apply the right approach in a particular context becomes very important for success in Data Governance implementations.

Working in the Data Management space for the duration of my career has been the best Data Governance education. Most of my learning was achieved through on the job training and learner from experts in the field. Building my knowledge through quantifiable successfully projects as well as overcoming impactful bottlenecks and seeingdifficult test cycles to completion has developed my skills to an expert level. To aid my real life on the job experience I am looking to complete my DAMA fundamentals certification as well as specialized exams Metadata, Data Quality, Data Governance. Professional development attaching yourself to stretch projects as well as course based learning is key ?? in this space.

One thing I've found helpful is LinkedIn Collaboration Articles!! Truly! They have broadened my social network to connect with professionals that have also excelled in the Data Governance space within thier careers. It is truly a treat having the knowledge and nerd passion to discuss niche topics with like minded colleagues. These articles have also challenged me to research topics I am not as familiar , leading me to attach theory to real world experiences.

Start sharing! You can share your thoughts through speaking engagements, publishing articles, and sharing on LinkedIn, or through any other medium of choice. As you share you are able to network and collaborate with others, and then share new ideas.

Through industry events and one on one networking, you can learn from others' experiences and expertise. You can exchange ideas and discuss what has worked well at your organizations. You can also discuss what hasn't gone well and what you'd have done differently. Learning from mistakes is incredibly valuable, but learning from others' mistakes can save you time.

Expand your professional network by attending industry events, joining online forums, and engaging with peers. Collaborate on projects, share insights, and actively participate in discussions. Building meaningful connections fosters collaboration, enhances your knowledge, and opens up opportunities for mutual growth in your field.

A contrarian approach to solving a problem leads to two possible outcomes. The first is that you experience the problem enough to realise that the current industry approach is the best, or it leads you to a realisation that no-one else has worked out. Irrespective of which path you end up with, this approach to solving a problem leads to innovations, potentially game-changing - and a fundamental understanding of the problem that needs to be solved. By taking this approach, 9/10 times you will find out that the industry solution is the best, but 1/10 of those times you will change the industry.

Becoming a thought leader in data governance requires multifaceted strategies. Deep understanding of principles, frameworks, and best practices, alongside staying updated on standards, regulations, and trends, is crucial. Practical experience implementing initiatives fortifies expertise. Sharing insights through blogs, articles, and speaking engagements establishes credibility and visibility. Networking, collaborating, and engaging in communities foster connections and growth opportunities. Consistently contributing valuable insights and demonstrating integrity and authenticity pave the way to becoming a respected authority in data governance.

Before I became a Data Governance (DG) Analyst that specializes in DG, Data Quality, Metadata management, MDM, and more I was a Data Analyst. The way I fell into Data Governance was by volunteering in my companies Data Governance Committee. By taking on more responsibilities in my organization I was able to learn about DG and then advocate and promote best practices within my organization. Through doing this I was able to move into a Data Governance Specialist role.

Technology in the data industry moves so fast, that if you "take your hands off the keyboard", your ability to mentor and lead with conviction subsides over time. Lead by doing, get your hands dirty and do it for a consistent and extended measure of time. Being part of a Data Governance program part-time, or for a short stint will simply not expose you to the good and bad decisions that are made during these programs. Leading and mentoring is about providing guidance, support, direction - but being ready to roll up your sleeves and help implement the advice when push comes to shove.

I, and many others, have found that the act of teaching and writing has a profound effect on one's understanding of a subject. It exposes gaps in our own understanding and exposes gaps in the effectiveness of our teaching or mentoring; the audience's grasp of the subject is as important as our own. The objective here is to come into contact with reality as much as possible so that not only you, but also your theories become battle tested and proven. Ultimately, thought leadership is about communicating what works.

Cultivate a mindset of continuous learning to adapt and thrive. Embrace new challenges, seek diverse experiences, and expand your skill set. Reflect on both successes and failures as valuable lessons. By consistently pushing your boundaries, you'll not only acquire knowledge but also foster personal and professional growth.

A friend of mine commented on my recent certification, saying, 'The hungry student inside me always keeps looking to learn.' It's true; you always need to stay hungry for knowledge??.

When becoming a Data Governance thought leader it's important to stay up to date via readings and or join conversations in your field! For example: 1. LinkedIn Group "Data Quality and Data Governance Leadership Forum" 2. LinkedIn Group "Data Governance Professional Organization" 3. LinkedIn Group "Data Quality and Metadata Management" 4. LinkedIn Newsletter "Data Governance Know How" 5. LinkedIn Newsletter "Pulse by Analytics8" 6. Book "Data Governance ..." by John Ladley I also follow LinkedIn Data Governance Top Voices and others who respond on these discussion boards. Then from there I will read their posts and even comment on them. There are infinite ways to learn and grow but these tips are what I do.

I've always appreciated the wealth of free learning tools available for software development. As my career has grown into areas of data governance, I see the same kind of generosity and camaraderie within the data governance community. This produces numerous opportunities for learning and growth that are easy to leverage. One piece of advice I'll give is to find a place to get plugged in. I've found the easiest path to learning and growing is to join a community where your participation is largely dependent on the simple task of showing up Join a Dama chapter, go to conferences like DGIQ, join LinkedIn communities like the Data Quality and Data Governance Leadership forum (you're on LinkedIn anyways ??). Learning can and should be easy.

Building expertise definitely yes. Sharing your thoughts and stories about creative implementation with others also plays a key role in validating direction of your thoughts in a particular area. LinkedIn's community has also player a bigger role in bringing people of same community together and find like-minded people across world.

Be yourself ... I mean share what you think is worth sharing. We hear everyday cliché insights on AI and Governance. Build your expertise and share practical and actionable knowledge. This will help you big time in becoming a recognized thought leader.

A data governance thought leader should have the expertise, vision, and influence to shape the data governance strategy and culture of their organization and industry. Consider the following: -Gain knowledge and expertise through courses, training, products -Cultivate strong communication and leadership skills to effectively collaborate with stakeholders -Lead data governance initiatives. -Gain practical and hands on experience in data management aspects like data quality improvement, metadata management, or data policy creation keeping AI/ML at the core -Gain insights and share learnings broadly. -Build your professional network with data governance professionals.

In a data-driven era, aspiring to be a data governance thought leader demands more than expertise. It requires following: 1. Active engagement in industry forums. 2. Sharing insights through blogs and 3. Contributing to open discussions. By staying updated on emerging trends and advocating for best practices, one could not only establish authority but also inspire others to embrace effective data governance strategies. The story underscores the importance of continuous learning, active participation, and thought leadership in shaping the future of data governance.

Summon your logic, passion and character (you). Here is a check-list I apply relentlessly : 1/Understand the fundamental principles of data governance that is about the purpose of data, different types of data and importance of quality data for making sound decisions. 2/Craft virtue through practice in order to develop habits in participating to many data governance initiatives, learning from data quality mistakes and continuously seeking to improve practices. Tip : I run marathon to develop my stamina 3/Convince (not persuade) thanks to logic and evidence with data analysis and key results. 4/Look for the mean to avoid extremes between requirements. 5/ Clearly articulate data concepts to broad audience. tip : I use analogies

Identify real macro level data literacy and data quality use cases/issues/gaps and demonstrate how an effective data governance and stewardship framework can solve for the business processes/functions which rely heavily on data assets and data products.